Developing apparatus



Jul 27, 1943.

H. D. FORSE 2,325,120

DEVELOPING APPARATUS I Filedse tje, 1940 s SheetswSheet 1 I I 5599.1. FEQRJLZ'LC Z5 22 I M July 27, 1943. H. D. FORSE DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W MZW WET um m X m Patented July 27, 1943' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,325,120 DEVELOPING APPARATUS Barry D. Forse, Anderson, Ind. Application September 9, 1940, Serial No. 355,963

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic developer for photographic and like film plates, rolls, etc.

The invention is illustrated as applied to the conventional development of photographic film of the light sensitive type, although not necessarily restricted thereto, and wherein the light exposed element is first immersed in a developing solution for a predetermined time and then rinsed, followed by immersion in a fixing solution, finally followed -by the second rinsing to remove the latter solution. The intermediate rinse is to prevent contamination of the fixing solution by the developer, all as well understood in the photographic art. Following the final rinse, the element is held in elevated relation for drying and convenience in removal at the end of the cycle.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a developing device capable of functioning as aforesaid and which, upon application of a photographic element thereto and manual initiation of the cycle, automatically completes the cycle and stops the cycle when the same is completed and the photographic element has been properly developed and is ready for drying and/or mounting, the cycle cessation occurring with the photographic element held in elevated position for drying and removal and application of another element to the element support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a substantially constant temperature arrangement as hereinafter pointed out more fully.

A further object of this invention is to provide a time control for the device whereby, followingv manual initiation, the time of developing is automatically regulated, and whenever not operating as a continuous type device the other required intervals may be similarly regulated.

With relative purity of solutions, liquid agita tion, constant temperature thereof and fixed intervals of immersion, perfect development is possible and most expeditiously obtained even when each film is handled individually.

The chief feature of the present invention includes providing in a photographic developer the various instrumentalities for accomplishing the foregoing objects.

Other objects and features will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings, the following description and claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention with cover included.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, the cover eing omitted or removed, the several baths.

transfer spider and support therefor being shown in considerable detail.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the body portion with the control mechanism, the major portion of which is rformally concealed by the former.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the transfer and supporting spider andthe controls and mechanisms directly associated therewith.

Fig. 5 is a conventional illustration of the wiring diagram of the circuits involved.-

In the drawings, it! indicates an outer shell of cylindrical character having a base or bottom H. Beneath the same and constituting extensions of the -wall portion ID are the legs 42 having feet l3 thereon for spacing the developer from a supporting surface. Herein, the wall i0 is shown circular. Herein, also, diametrically oppositely and exteriorly mounted on the wall are the brackets M being secured to the wall as at l5 and suitably securing as at I6 the vertical studs 81. A light tight cover l8 includes brackets is supporting the tubular portions 29 carrying the latches 2i near their lower ends. These latches 2! have cooperative engagement with the studs ii for locking the cover to the body portion in relatively light-proof relation. Merely moving the upper ends of the latches 2| toward the adjacent portions 20 releases the latches from the studs or uprights I! and permits the cover to be bodily elevated for access to the interior of the developer or for complete removal therefrom. The latches are adapted to support the-cover in elevated relation. Portions 20 are tubular and are telescopically associated with the uprights H. The cover may carry a record support structure 22 and the same may receive record card portions 23.

Positioned within the container ill-ll are three vessels 24, 25 and 26. These are positioned at apart leaving a fourth position designated by the letter A which is the final cycle position. Each of'the vessels 24, 25 and 26 has a nested arrangement with locating elements secured to the base ll. Thus each of the vessels is always P positively positioned in predetermined position.

Each of the vessels is of predetermined height.

Near the base H and in the side wall it) is a water intake 28 which by means of a hose 29 and a slip socket connection 30 is adapted for connection to a faucet which supplies and controls the amount of water to the vessel II. Positioned in the container arrangement l-li-Il is an overflow drain 3| which extends through the bottom It and terminates in a fixture 32 connected by a hose 33 to another fixture 34 which in turn may be connected to a waste line.- Thus when water is supplied by intake 28 to the container Iii-ll it will flow into the container and continue such flow, the surplus wasting through the overflow drain element 8|. Thus the liquid in the container is always at the same level and is of substantially the same temperature.

As previously stated, this overflow level is below the tops of the vessels 24, and 26. However, the side walls of these vessels are in contact with this flowing water and, therefore, the liquids in these vessels are also at the same temperature as the container liquid.

The vessel 24 or the initial station for operation in the developing of films and the like is adapted to contain the developing fluid. Vessel 25 is adapted to contain a rinsing fluid, usually water. Vessel 2B is adapted to contain a fixing fluid. The terms developing fluid and fixing fiuid" refer to liquids which chemically react with a photographic element such as a film and which form the desired and-well known actions required of the same.

It is, of course, necessary as required in good photographic developing practice to keep the various chemically reactive solutions substantially pure. By that is meant that one solution be not carried over into another causing an admixture thereof. Thus the film, ior example, if the device is to handle films, after having been immersed in the developing solution, is immersed in the first rinse, generally water. Next it is immersed in the fixing solution and it is then rinsed and dried.

Herein there is shown a plate portion from which project four quadrant arranged arms 4|. Each of these arms adjacent the plate portion rotatably supports a roller 42. The plate has an elongated hub portion 43 and the same is internally threaded with a relatively long double or intersecting spiral thread. Extendingupwardly through and from the bottom of the container is a shaft 44 which is provided with a complementary thread arrangement 45 thereon and the upper end of this shaft 44 carries a stop member 46. Each arm may be provided with a film holder in which event the device is arranged for continuous operation or development. Herein, however, the device is illustrated as being of the single cycle type.

By referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the arm 4| includes an aperture 48 that receives a spindle 49 of a film carrier indicated generally by the numeral 50, the same being rigidly secured to the arm as at 5|. It will be understood that in order that the spider structure, including the four arms, the hub and the plate, may be substantially balanced, each of the arms if desired or as herein illustrated, see Figs. 2 and 4, the arm opposite the film holder supporting arm, may be provided with a counterweight 52 secured thereto at 53.

Extending upwardly from the base II is a circular combination cam guide and support member 54 having the upper face 55 and provided with quadrant arranged vertical slots 58 which have rounded junctures at 51 with the supporting faces 55. These slots are of such size as to receive the rollers 42 carried by the spider arms 4|. The rollers 42 also are adapted to roll upon and rest upon the upper slot interrupted circular surface 55.

Suitably secured near the top of the cylindrical slotted guide immediately beyond the station Apreviously referred to, is a normally closed switch structure including actuating member 58, the same being supported on insulation member 59 secured as at 60 to said vertical slotted cylindrical element. Member 59 is a switch containing casing, the switch being operable by memtion 83.

ber 58' as hereinafter set forth. The film holder carrying arm 4| is provided with a switch actuating member 6| secured thereto as at 62. The same may be adjustably mounted as illustrated in Fig. 4. When the film holder arm 4| has been successively positioned in each of the [our positions and starts to move from the station A to the first position, member 5| engages switch actuating member 58 to open that switch or move one of the members thereof to open circuit position.

This switch is included in the two motor circuits, see Fig. 5. Thus the motor operation ceases and the shaft operable by the power motor 63 ceases rotation. structure is no longer movable and is retained in elevated position resting on the surface 55 of the vertically slotted cylindrical cam guide member.

The power motor is shown most clearly in Fig. 3 and is indicated by the numeral 63, the shaft portion thereof being indicated by the numeral 44, the upper and container enclosed portion of said shaft being reversely-spirally threaded, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 4. The main switch structure previously referred to is shown most clearly in Fig. 4.

Projecting forwardly from the casing I0 is a supplemental housing structure 10, the same being hingedly connected as at H to the wall of easing I0 and having a hand release portion 12. The forward face is suitably apertured as at 13. The transparent closure 14 exposes the interior of the compartment and the control therein. Exposed by this transparent closure, there is a red signal plate 15. Behind the same is a lamp 16, which is illuminated at all times that the timer motor is connected to the source of power and in operation.

Positioned in the forward compartment also is a manually operable pull member 11 normally constrained toward the retracted position, see Fig. 5. When the same is pulled outwardly, it operates a switch member 11b to close the circuit in multiple with the switch 58. In other words, switch 58 stops the cycle of rotation of the mechanism and manually operable switch 11 starts the cycle.

Within the housing also there is a clockwise rotatable shaft 18 which mounts a disc wheel type dial 19 carrying the numbered face and a plurality of radially projecting pins 8| adapted for successive engagement with a tripping member having a pointer portion 82 and an arm por- This arm portion is a switch control portion.

The dial wheel 19, see Fig. 3, may be manually adjusted relative to, the shaft 18 by means of a knurled-element 84. A gear train arrangement 85 isarranged to rotate said dial wheels This gear train arrangement is driven by a timing mechanism motor 86.

The cylindrical vertically slotted cam and guide member 54 is provided with a guide bracket 81,

, the two arms of which slidabiy support a rod 88,

see Figs. 4, the upper end of which contacts a bearing plate 89 of an arm 90 pivoted at 9| to the said cylindrical member 54, said arm member 90 having its pivotal movement limited by the stop 92 and guided and limited by the member 93.

The projecting portion 94 extends upwardly above the supporting face 55 and is successively engaged by each of the spider arms 4| or the rollers 42 supported thereby. Inasmuch as rod Therefore the spider ture cannot rotate and such elevational movement continues until the spider and hub structure, including the rollers, rises sufliciently to clear or register with the plane of the face 55.

Continued rotational movement of the shaft 44 causes the spider and hub structure to rotate in a clockwise direction looking at Fig. 2. One of the rollers engages the member 04 and depresses the same and the rod 88, in opposition to its elevating constraint. This movement operates a reversing switch to cause reverse rotation' of shaft 44. Upon such reverse rotation assisted by gravity, the spider and hub structure is caused to descend on said shaft 44 until it engages a stop mechanism.

This stop mechanism includes a pin 95, see Fig. 2. When that occurs, rotation of the power motor ceases. The timing motor, however, continues its cyclic operation and at the proper interval the power motor is reenergized through one of the dial pins 8I and in the proper direction to cause elevational movement of the spider structure followed by progressive rotational movement thereof.

There is also provided an agitator rod 96. This agitator rod isadapted to cause slight vertical fluctuation of the spider structure when in the lowered position. Such vertical reciprocation causes the liquid in the various vessels to wash the film then in the vessels or containers. Therefore, the liquid in the various vessels and containers is not stationary during the immersion period.

It will be quite obvious that in the initial upward movement of the film support 50, see Fig. 4, as soon as the support and the film clear the level of the liquid in the vessel, the liquid on the film and the holder drains therefrom and back into the vessel until such time as progressive rotational movement occurs. Then, due to the inertia opposing the start of that movement, the remainder of the liquid drops by gravity back to the vessel so that there is but little liquid carried from the vessel. If anyshould be carried from one vessel it will be discharged into the container liquid surrounding the individual vessels previous to the immersion of the holder and the film into the next succeeding vessel.

In view of the large volume of temperaturemaintaining and final rinse water in the container II and the continuous flow, such incidental dri'ppage is negligible and has substantially no effect whatsoever on any film rinsed in the container at the station A as previously described.

Furthermore, it is to be observed'that after the film has been elevated at the station A and has moved slightly beyond the slot coincident with station A, the switch operating member 58 is engaged and the power motor is stopped. Therefore, the film holder including the film is held in elevated relation so that the rinse water can completely drain therefrom to the container I I and the film can dry. Switch 58 also controls the timing motor 86, so it also is stopped. The operator can then remove or elevate cover I8,

and replace, the developed film with an undeveloped one, if desired.

As previously set forth, the member 11 constitutes the manual initiating control and in effect is merely a main switch in, multiple with the switch 58 so that if the control member I1 is held extended, the main circuit is maintained closed through the contact 'I'Ib, see Fig. 5, and the power motor 63- will rotate sufliciently for the switch tripping structure 6| to clear the member 58, whereupon the switcharrangement, which is of normally closed character within the casing 59, will be reestablished in the closed circult position until the member 6| again contacts the member 58 at the end of another cycle.

Referring to Fig. 3, the pilot lamp I6 is in multiple with the timing motor 86. This is a unidirectional motor and the thumb wheel 84 and timing disk I9 have a friction-clutch connection with the shaft I8 so that the wheel can be adjusted manually relative to the disk supporting shaft and when released normally is connected to said,shaft for rotation thereby. The main supply of current, as stated, enters by way of the plug 91 and the cord 98 beneath the bottom II of the container and at 99.

In Fig. 3, I00 indicates a switch and this switch is operatedby the arm 83. There is also provided another switch IM, This switch is oper-' ated by a lever I02 in turn having an adjustable connection I03 with an arm I04 of the member 83. This arm has pivotal connection asat I05 with the member I06 that is connected at its opposite end to a lever I01 as at I08, said lever having a lateral portion I09, the same being engageable by the lower end of the rod previously referred to.

Pivoted adjacent the gear train is a lever -IIO and said lever is connected by a link III to a rod H2 and the same constitutes an extension of the leaf member II3 pivoted at I It. This leaf member is a bearing plate. The timing motor through the pin wheel II5 intermittently rocks lever M0 to rock the members'l I2 and H3, the latter underlying the member 96 which bears thereon. Thus this agitator 96 is repeatedly elevated and lowered so that the spider construction is repeatedly-elevated and lowered to cause movement of the liquid in which the film holder is immersed for liquid agitation.

The member constitutes the stop mechanism and it, upon depression, elevates the roller IIB that rides cam face 1 adjustably mounted as at II8 on the lever II9 pivoted at I20.

An extension I2I is pivotally supported as at I22 on the other arm of the lever and is fixedly connected thereto in adjustable relation as at I23. The abutment I24 is juxtapositioned rela-' tive to the member I02, previously mentioned,

pivoted at I26 and carrying the adjustable member I 03. A spring I21 normally'constrains the arm I04 into engagement with the adjustable member I03 as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noted thatthere are three terminals I30, I3I and I32 on the block adjacent the power motor. It will also be noted that the two lefthand terminals in said block lead to the switch I 00. The two right-hand terminals in Fig. 3 lead to the switch IN. A spring I29 normally constrains cam shaped member II'I into roller engagement with and opposes elevational movement .of the roller which corresponds to the lowering movement of member 95. This is the cut-out switch arrangement.

ered by the spider arm, the lever arrangement is such that switches l! and I00 are selectively controlled and, as previously stated, the relationship between these two switches is that one is on while the other is oil, and vice versa. Therefore, so long as the master switch 58 is closed, the power motor 63 will rotatein one direction or the other for raising or lowering and rotating of the spider respectively except during the major portion of the interval that the timing motor is indexing disk 19 to bring a succeeding pin 8i into contact with arm 83. When that occurs the power motor elevates the spider, the spider rotates and then the power motor reverses and the spider lowers. At the end of the lowering movement, the power motor is deenergized until reenergized.

The power motor is of reversible character. The timer motor is of uni-directional character. It is energized during the entire developing cycle. The power motor is only energized a described and never when the timer motor is deenergized. The essentials of a wiring diagram are disclosed in Fig. 5.

The positioning of pins 8|. of which there are four, since there are four stations, determines the respective intervals during which the film is immersed in the several liquids.

Whenever single cycle operation is not desired but continuous developing operation is desired, the actuator SI of switch 58 is not utilized but removed. The pins 8i are properly spaced apart.

Such spacing is determined by the time the film is to remain in the developer solution. The fixing solution then is of such character that for the same interval, the'effectiveness thereof is sufficient for that operation.

When the device is so utilized the developer is utilized in a dark room with cover l8 removed. While the spider is travelling from station to station, the attendant quickly removes the film holder after it leaves station A and replaces it with another carrying an undeveloped film and before the spider reaches the position where the new holder registers with vessel 24.

Fig. is a conventional wiring diagram from which the operation previously described can be more readily understood.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated the following switch structures I00, l0i, 'll'l1b, etc., and in Fig. 4 there is illustrated a switch structure including casing 59. These four structures are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 5. As previously described, when starting member 11 is manually actuated to close the circuit to the timing motor 86 and the power motor 63, initial rotation removes the actuator from member 58 so that the normally closed switch in the casing 59 can close. This maintains the power and timer motor circuits closed notwithstanding release of member 11 thereby permitting the starting switch to open and so remain until again manually closed to start a new cycle of operation in single cycle operation of the device.

Switches l'I-l'lb and 59, etc., are in parallel. In effect, also switches I00 and I0! are in multiple. Briefly, the operation of these switches is as follows: One is in closed circuit position, while the other is in open circuit position and vice versa. It will be recalled each arm 4| successively contacts portion 94 and depresses rod 88, normally constrained upwardly, which operates the reversing switch to reverse t e r0t ti 01 motor 63-. This reversal occurs just as an arm I registers with a depression 56, so that the spider descends until the arm 4| engages a stop mechanism.

Fig. 3 illustrates the lower end of rod 88 juxtapositioned to plate I09. When rod 88 is depressed by the spider arm as stated, arm I06 is actuated and hence lever I02 is actuated which controls switch l0i.

Fig. 2 illustrates stop member 95. When dtpressed by the arm ll in the Juxtapositioned depression 56, member 05 elevates roller H6, see Fig. 3. This roller, as stated, rides the cam face Ill on lever H9 pivoted at I20 and tilts said lever so that the extension [2| thereof can actuate switch operating member I02 controlling switch I0l. Switch I00 is controlled by member 88 actuated by the timing motor dial. It will be recalled that pin 8|, in timing motor operation actuates member 82-83, which controls switch I00 and that it and switch I02 are selectively closed. However, note that the wheel dial determines the duration of dwell during which the film is immersed in the liquid in the container.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the foregoing descrip tion, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein, as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

l. Ina hotographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis. the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing. a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a

cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular surface, and a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, the interruptions being spaced equidistantly, other arms similar to the first mentioned arm and similarly carried, the spacing of the arms being equal-to that ofthe interruptions, the total arm number being that of the number of interruptions, and means adjacent the surface and at the entrance to one of the interruptions and successively engageable by each of the arms for reversing shaft rotation for lowering of the arms in the depressions.

2. In a photographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis, the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular surface, and a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, the interruptions being spaced equidistantly, other arms similar to the first mentioned arm and similarly carried, the spacing of the armsbeing equal to that of the interruptions, the total arm number being that of the number of interruptions. means adjacent the surface and at the entrance successively engageable by each of the arms for reversing shaft rotation for lowering of the arms in the depressions. and means iuxtapositioned relative to the lower end of the interruptions and engageable in the lowering movement of the arms for stopping shaft lowering rotation.

3. In a photographic'element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination .of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis, the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular surface, and a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into. and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, the interruptions being spaced equidistantly, other arms similar to the first mentioned arm-and similarly carried, the spacing of the arms being equal to that of the interruptions, the total arm number being that of the number of interruptions, means adjacent the surface and at the entrance to one of the interruptions and successively engageable by each of the arms for reversing shaft rotation for lowering of the arms in the depressions, means juxtapositioned relative to the lower end of the interruptions and engageable in the lowering movement of the arms for stopping shaft lowering rotation, and means for insuring shaft elevation rotation, the latter continuing until the first mentioned means is actuated, the arms when free of the interruptions rotating with the shaft until the first mentioned means is actuated.

4. In a photographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis, the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular surface, a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, and intermittently operable agitator means, juxtapositioned relative to the lowered position of the arm for arm agitation for the purpose described.

5. In a photographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted-cirto one of the interruptions and cular supporting surface. the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis, the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular surface, and a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, the interruptions being spaced equidistantly, other arms similar to the first mentioned arm and similarly carried, the spacing of the arms being equal to that of the interruptions, the total arm number being that of the number of interruptions, means adjacent the surface and at the entrance to one of the interruptions and successively engageable by each of the arms for reversing shaft rotation for lowering of the arms in the depressions, means Juxtapositioned relative to the lower end of the interruptions and engageable in the lowering movement of the arms for stopping shaft lowering rotation, and means for insuring shaft elevation rotation, the latter continuing until the first mentioned means is actuated, the arms when free of the interrupions roating with the shaft until the first mentioned means is actuated, and means juxtapositioned relative to the lowered position of the arms for arm'agitation for the purpose described.

6. In a photographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis, the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated lriterruptions and upon the circular surface, and a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, the interruptions being spaced equidistantly, other arms similar to the first mentioned arm and similarly carried, the spacing of the arms being equal to that of the interruptions, the total arm number being that of the number of interruptions, means adjacent the surface and at the entrance to one of the interruptions and successively engageable by each of the arms for reversing shaft rotation for lowering of the arms in the depressions, means Juxtapositioned relative to the lower end of the interruptions and engageable in the lowering movement of the arms. for stopping shaft lowermeans for insuring shaft elefirst mentioned means is actuated, the arms when free or the interruptions rotating with the shaft until the first mentioned means is actuated, intermittently operable means juxtapositioned relative to the lowered position of the arms for arm agitation for the purpose described, and continuously operable means for operating said intermittently operable agitator means, controlling shaft rotationand determining the interval bemember thereon, an arm tween the end of shaft lowering rotation and shaft rotation for arm elevation.

'7. In a photographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis, the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular sur face, and a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, the interruptions being spaced equidistantly, other arms similar to the first mentioned arm and similarly carried, the spacing of the arms being equal to that of the interruptions, the total arm number being that of the number of interruptions, means adjacent the surface and at the entrance to one of the interruptions and successively engageable by each of the arms for reversing shaft rotation for lowering of the arm in the depressions, means juxtapositioned relative to the lower end of the interruptions and engageable in the lowering movement of the arms for stopping shaft lowering rotation, and means for insuring shaft elevation rotation, the latter continuing until the first mentioned means is actuated, the arms when free e of the interruptions rotating with the shaft until the first mentioned means is actuated, intermittently operable means juxtapositioned relative to the lowered position of the arms for arm agitation for the purpose described, continuously operable means for operating said intermittently operable agitator means. controlling shaft rotation and determining the interval between the end of shaft lowering rotation and shaft rotation for arm elevation, and means engageable in arm rotation for stopping shaft rotation and the operation of the continuously operable means.

8. In a photographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangement therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first-mentioned axis, the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in arcuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular surface, and a photographic element holder carried by the am for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, the interruptions being spaced equidistantly, other arms similar to the first mentioned arm and similarly carried, the spacing of the arms being equal to that of the interruptions, the total arm number being that of the number of interruptions, means adjacent the surface and at the entrance to one of the interruptions and successively engageable by each of the arms for reversing shaft rotation for lowering of the arms in the depressions, means juxtapositioned relative to the lower end of the interruptions and engageable in the lowering movement of the arms for stopping shaft lowering rotation, and means for insuring shaft elevation rotation, the latter continuing until the first mentioned means is actuated, the arms when free of the interruptions rotating with the shaft until the first mentioned means is actuated, intermittently operable means juxtapositioned relative to the lowered position of the arms for arm agitation'for the purpose described, continuously operable means for operating said intermittently operable agitator means, controlling shaft rotation and determining the interval between the end of shaft lowering rotation and shaft rotation for arm elevation, means engageable in arm rotation for stopping shaft rotation and the operation of the continuously operable means, and manually operable means for initiating operation of the continuously operable means and shaft rotation when manually constrained for an interval sufllcient to eliminate the effectiveness of said means engageable in arm rotation for stopping shaft rotation.

9. In a photographic element developing machine, a housing, a plurality of liquid container arrangements therein arranged circularly about an axis, the combination of an interrupted circular supporting surface, the axis thereof being coincident with the first mentioned axis the interruptions being of depressed character and elongated for the purpose described, and arranged in. areuately spaced relation in accordance with container arrangement spacing, a coaxial reversible shaft having a spiral thread, a cooperating threaded member thereon, an arm projecting therefrom for movement in the elongated interruptions and upon the circular surface, and a photographic element holder carried by the arm for movement into and out of the container arrangements and movement from one arrangement to another, and intermittently operable means juxtapositioned to said threaded'member and arm for agitating both when the arm is seated in the lower end of an interruption for causing slight relative movement between holder and container arrangement for liquid movement relative to the photographic element in said holder.

HARRY D. FORSE. 

